Labial Pain: What Causes Pain in the Labia & How is it Treated?

How Do We Define Labia?

The labia are a part of the external female genitalia. Labia are the visible part of the vulva. Labia are of two types the Labia Majora and the Labia Minora.

The Labia Majora is the outer part and is larger and fattier. The Labia Minora are folds of skin in between the outer labia. The function of the Labia is to protect the clitoris and the openings of the vagina and urethra. The Labia Majora mainly consists of skin and fatty tissues extending to either side of the vulva.

The Labia Minora or the inner lips are two soft folds of hairless skin which are fat free between the Labia Majora. The function of the Labia Minora is to protect the vagina and the urethra. The Labia Majora contains in it sebaceous glands, apocrine sweat glands, and eccrine sweat glands where as the Labia Minora has very few nerves in it. They also contain sebaceous glands.

Labial Pain: What Causes Pain in the Labia and How is it Treated?

Some of the causes of Labial Pain or the Pain in the Labia are:

Labial Pain or the Pain in the Labia Caused Due to Vulvovaginitis & its Treatment

This is a pathological condition in which there is inflammation of the Labia Minora. This can be caused due to normal irritation due to menstrual cycles, using dirty linen, or even dirty hands. The symptoms of this condition are labial pain or pain in the labia, difficulty with walking normally, irritation in the vaginal area, and painful urination. Vulvovaginitis is treated with over the counter creams which a pharmacist can give. Oral antibiotics, antibiotic creams, and antifungal creams can also be applied to the genital area for relief from symptoms.

Labial Pain or the Pain in the Labia Caused Due to Candidiasis & its Treatment

This is a fungal disease of the genital areas caused by excessive growth of yeast-like fungi of the Candida genus. These organisms are already present in a normal healthy person but in case if there is excess of growth of these organisms then it may result in candidiasis causing labial pain or pain in the labia. These infections are normally caused due to unprotected sexual intercourse. The best way to treat candidiasis causing labial pain or pain in the labia is to use cortisone ointment and antifungal medicines. Staying away from unprotected sex can also help control the Pain in the Labia caused due to Candidiasis.

Labial Pain or the Pain in the Labia Caused Due to Vulvodynia & its Treatment

This is also a cause for labial pain or pain in the labia. It is a pathological condition which normally develops at the entrance of vagina. Along with Pain in the Labia symptom also include burning sensation and discomfort with walking. The best way to treat this condition is to use medically approved detergents, wear cotton undergarments, avoid perfumed creams or soaps. For labial pain relief due to vulvodynia, pain medications can be of help. Applying heat to the affected area is also an effective way to relieve pain in the labia caused due to Vulvodynia.

Labial Pain or the Pain in the Labia Caused Due to Bartholinitis & its Treatment

This is also one of the causes of Pain in the Labia. This is a pathological condition in which there is inflammation of the bartholin gland which is the largest gland of the vestibule of the vagina. As a result of this inflammation, a female can experience labial pain or pain in the labia. Bartholinitis generally is caused due to microorganisms like staphylococci. Treatment options for Bartholinitis are applying cold wraps to the affected area. Antibiotics are also quite effective in treatment of Bartholinitis. Surgery is also a form of treatment option for treating Bartholinitis causing pain in the labia.

Labial Pain or the Pain in the Labia Caused Due to Gardnerella Vaginitis & its Treatment

It is an infection caused by bacterium gardnerella vaginalis causing labial pain or pain in the labia. The Labia may turn erythematous and there may also be swelling of the Labia. The female also experiences watery discharge from the genitals which will be foul in odor. The treatment options for labial pain or pain in the labia caused due to gardnerella vaginitis are antibacterial mediations. For pain relief, pain medications are effective. Metronidazole twice a day orally for about a week is quite effective for treatment of this condition. A metronidazole gel can also be used in the affected area for treating this condition and relieving labial pain or pain in the labia.